EDITED to add video at the bottom!
A few weeks ago I was shopping for birthday gifts in Anthropologie when I came across a gorgeous faux-fur cowl. It was sooo soft and warm, and even though it was a bazillion degrees outside, I wanted it. I wanted it bad.
Anthropologie’s fur cowl, from their website.
Then I looked at the price tag and saw it was $48. That’s a lot of money for me to spend on something that, in Southern California, I won’t get a ton of use out of. But then my wheels started turning. I remembered seeing a similar fabric at the local fabric and crafts store (JoAnn), and I decided I could make a cowl myself. I told Mike my idea and he said, “You take some sewing classes and suddenly you can do anything?” I reminded him that this idea was going to save money and voilà! He was on board. I went to JoAnn and found an almost identical faux fur fabric in several colors, and it was on sale for $8/yard.
It ended up being really easy to make the cowl, and I thought I’d share how I did it. I am definitely no clothing or sewing expert, but hopefully if you’re interested in making this I can save you some money! These are directions for sewing by hand – I don’t have a sewing machine (ahem, Santa Claus), and it would have been SO much easier with one. That being said, it’s obviously possible to make this cowl without one!
You will need 37″ x 25″ of the fabric of your choice
Matching thread
Fabric scissors
A needle
Seam gauge or tape measure
Fabric marking pen or pencil
Straight pins
If you didn’t get your fabric pre-cut to size, do that first! Then, fold your fabric in half with the fur on the inside. Make sure you’re folding fabric so that your new dimensions are 37″ by 12.5″.
Using a seam gauge or tape measure, mark your seam allowance. I marked about half an inch for mine, along the longest (37-inch) part of the fabric.
Pin your fabric together so it doesn’t move while you sew, then get to sewing. Use small, tight stitches. Like, so small you will moan, “I wish I had a sewing machine, this is taking forever!” But only say it out loud once, because Santa can take a hint. Make sure you only sew the length (making a long tube), leaving the shorter ends open.
After you sew the length, pull one end of the fabric through the opening on the other end.
Fold the fabric in half, twisting it once, then line up the edges.
Both openings should be on top of each other now. Pin the two middle sides to each other, mark your seam allowance (I used half an inch again) and sew. As you work your way around the circle, move your straight pins to help you hold the fabric in place.
Eventually you’ll get to the point where you can’t sew “from the inside” anymore. When that happens, tuck the edges in and sew from the outside. The fake fur will help hide and disguise your thread.
My finished cowl looks so much like the one at Anthropologie and the couple of times it was cool enough here to wear it, I received lots of compliments. Someone even asked me if I’d bought it at Anthropologie!
Annabel is obsessed with it.
Wearing a cowl with a tank top, just like a Southern Californian. The day I took this picture it was 90 degrees outside. In November. Get it together, LA.
Let me know if you have any questions. Have fun sewing!
EDITED:
Due to popular demand, here is the video tutorial. Hopefully it helps to clear up confusion. Please ignore my voice, I am completely stuffed up.
If you can’t see the video above, click here.
designhermomma says:
you so crafty…
Laura says:
My head exploded when I gazed upon the “what you need” picture. After that I was 15 and sitting in geometry class with a blank look on my face. ::::::sigh::::::: I wish I could do stuff like that. I would be the one saying “screw it here’s my 48 bucks Anthropologie!”
Damita H says:
I agree Laura! I got lost right about then too, lol.
Jolene says:
LOL! oh me too. I so wish I was craftier than I am. I take the easy way out and pay the $48
Laura says:
And can I just please also say – enough with this global warming thing already??? It’s 94 in Burbank and I am about to lose it! Turning the AC back on is not what I had in mind for FREAKING NOVEMBER 13th!
OK I’m done.
Jean says:
Is the one in the picture above Annie yours or from Anthropologie? I want to make one with a point in the bottom center. How do you get that point to come down?
Heather says:
It’s mine! It’s just in the way it’s draped!
Jean says:
Is the part where you said to end the sewing the part that is draped into a point? I’m a little confused on the point.
Heather says:
No it’s literally just a long tube sewn in a circle, no part is pointed. Once you have it on, you can just tug and twist the scarf to a point if you like – there is no point sewn into it!
Jean says:
Ohhhhh, I get it now! Thank you!
Procrastamom says:
I originally thought the first picture was the Anthropologie cowl and I liked it better. Then I found out it was yours and I cheered for you Heather. Great job! I like yours much better than the original. Oh and I work right next to the fabric store, so I might have to stop by tonight to scout out some faux fur
Jean says:
I like Heather’s better too. I want to try and make it.
Jean says:
Oh my goodness, joann.com has a six yard reel of the white fur for $18.99 and a 50% off coupon for one regular priced item. Score! These make nice Christmas presents too.
suzy says:
time to get my sewing machine fixed – this is something I can handle for xmas presents!!!
Amy says:
I wonder what Heather is putting on her Santa’s wish list this year ;))
Meg says:
Why isn’t she wearing uggs with it? That’s not very SoCal of her!
Jen says:
Can you make one for me? I’ll totally pay you for it.
I would make it myself but my sewing skills are basically being able to thread a needle and make a mess out of sewing a button back on (and then I use clear nail polish to secure it so I don’t have to sew it on again).
cindy says:
I bought the material today to make this. I am confused about the folding it in half and twisting?
Heather says:
Okay so, you have just sewed a long tube, right? Instead of folding it in half and having it be a smooth circle, just twist the fabric once and then line up the edges to pin, so the fabric creates an x. Do you see that in this picture? http://www.flickr.com/photos/plasticcandy/10843174146/ If that’s still not making sense I will film a little video demo!
Drea says:
Yes!!!! PLEASE do the video!! I am a visual learner and really want to try this!!!
Heather says:
I just posted the video, hope it helps!
Heather says:
I added the video!
Carolyn Oglesby says:
II can’t view the video! Wah!
Heather says:
You can’t? What device are you trying to watch it on? Try clicking this link and see if it works: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2bskp-EaMds
Carolyn Oglesby says:
iPhone. I got the YouTube link. Thank you so much!
cindy says:
If you have time to shoot a short video, that would be awesome! These are going to make *great teacher gifts!
Heather says:
Okay, I will film a quick video when Mike gets home from work!
Heather says:
I will put one together tonight for you!
Lisa! says:
I would totally pay to have you make me one as well. And I am in Kansas where it has been down in the 20’s for a couple of days!
aubrey says:
This is so pretty. I wish I could wear scarves or cowls. My chest is just too big letters above d should just not be an option. Lol.
Great job, Heather. It looks fantastic
Kristin says:
Wow! Awesome job!
And double yay because you didn’t give any money to these disgusting people: http://awakenedaesthetic.com/2009/06/exposed-urban-outfitters-do-you-really-know/
Linnae says:
I think this is really cute … and I’m really tempted … but I have zero fashion sense. What do you wear this with?? In place of a scarf? Maybe I am too old!
ha ha I was lucky my previous boyfriend LOVED to shop — he picked out all of my clothes. My man now hates shopping and wham … my fashion is out the window.
Heather says:
Yes, you just wear it in place of a scarf!
Jean says:
If you put fur cowl in google images, there are a lot of different styles. There are fur scarves, hair muffs, wraps. Heather, you should do more tutorials in different styles too. I REALLY enjoyed this tutorial a lot.
Mandy says:
When you sew the ends together do you sew through all 4 edges at the same time? You lost me when you said line up the middles and sew around the circle…might make more sense when I see it. BTW, I have a sewing maching and can’t thread the needle. If you were my neighbor it could live at your house. HA!
Heather says:
I uploaded a video so hopefully it makes more sense now!
Tamara S. says:
Yes! I’ve been eye balling the very same cowl!!! I put it on my wish list and have been checking daily to see if it has gone on sale. I’m a visual learner as well, so if you do find the time to make a how-to video I would be ever so pleased!!! You are the bomb!!! P.S. I read yours and Mike’s blogs religiously and have since Matt Logelin wrote about your Maddie. I have absolutely LOVED every word. I’ve laughed myself silly and cried buckets and enjoyed seeing Annie and now James grow. I’ve hugged you and your families through my computer screen on so many happy and not so happy occasions-I hope you all could feel them In any case, I look forward to reading every day and on the weekends watch Spohr TV when I’m having withdrawals. Wait…am I sounding weird and stalkery? I promise I’m neither! My point is that I love tuning in and I appreciate your honesty so very much. Oh, and the tutorials! Thanks! Have a good one!
cindy says:
Have you had a chance to make the video yet? I have made two and they just don’t look like your’s does!
cindy says:
thank you so much for th video!